Tarkus
Emerson, Lake & Palmer · 1971
38 min · 13 tracks · progressive rock
Epic symphonic landscapes merge with intricate time signatures and experimental textures, creating a genre-defining progressive rock experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Eruption Start here — The album opener sets a dramatic tone with its explosive organ and intricate rhythms, establishing the thematic continuity of Tarkus.
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Aquatarkus — This track exemplifies the fusion of rock and classical elements, featuring dynamic shifts and showcasing Keith Emerson's virtuosic keyboard work.
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Bitches Crystal — With its haunting melodies and complex arrangements, this song reflects the album's overall themes of conflict and introspection, highlighting the band's lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Tarkus showcases intricate compositions and high-level musicianship, solidifying its place in progressive rock history.
What we noticed
- The album features a continuous suite in the first track, 'Eruption', which transitions into subsequent pieces without breaks.
- The use of classical instrumentation, such as the Moog synthesizer and piano, is prominent throughout, blending with rock elements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic progression with resolution
- wave-like pacing that captivates
- intricate melodies unfold gradually
- immersive listening for focused sessions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward structures
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established ELP's reputation with its ambitious structure and success in charts.
- Themes
- mechanical war machines· philosophical introspection· mythical landscapes
- Career context
- Released on June 14, 1971, Tarkus was Emerson, Lake & Palmer's second album, following their self-titled debut. At this point, the band had solidified their identity in the burgeoning progressive rock scene, building on the success of their first album while showcasing a more ambitious and complex musical approach.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Yes· Genesis· King Crimson
Tracklist
- 1 Eruption Start here 2:43
- 2 Stones of Years 3:44
- 3 Iconoclast 1:15
- 4 Mass 3:12
- 5 Manticore 1:52
- 6 Battlefield 3:51
- 7 Aquatarkus 4:04
- 8 Jeremy Bender 1:50
- 9 Bitches Crystal 3:58
- 10 The Only Way 3:48
- 11 Infinite Space (Conclusion) 3:20
- 12 A Time and a Place 3:01
- 13 Are You Ready Eddy? 2:09
What to play next
Trilogy
1972
Continues the complex arrangements and rich soundscapes established in Tarkus.
Pictures at an Exhibition
1971
Sets the stage with classical influences that complement Tarkus's style.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Close to the Edge
Yes
Shares intricate compositions and philosophical themes, blending rock with classical influences.
In the Court of the Crimson King
King Crimson
Explores similar dynamic shifts and atmospheric soundscapes with a blend of rock and jazz elements.
Selling England by the Pound
Genesis
Features complex arrangements and thematic storytelling, merging progressive rock with lyrical depth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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